Control mechanism for electric vehicles.



C. E.. COCHRAN.

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES. 211101111011 FILED JULYZB,1911.

1,020,080. Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

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CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.- APPLIOATION FILED JULY28,1911.

1,020,080. 7 I Patented Mar.12, 1912.

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GONTROL MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1911,

1,020,080. 7 Patented Mar. 12,1912.

SSHEETS-SHEET a.

Un trnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLYDE E. ICOCHRAN, or CLEVELAND, 0316,

company, or nmaorr, mcnreau,

ASSIGNOR T annnason ELECTRIC can a CORPORATION or MICHIGAN.

CONTROL MECHAN ISM FOB, ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

Toall whom it may concern:

' a citizen of the United States ofAmerica,

residing at Cleveland, in the county of C-uyahoga and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and Control Mechanism for Electric Vehicles,of which the following is a specification, reference being had thereinto the accompanyin g drawings.

The invention relates to control mechanism particularly designed for usein connection with electrically propelled vehicles, and the inventionconsists in various features of construction as hereinafter set forth.

.- In the drawings,-Figure1 is a sectional front elevation of themechanism; Fig. 2 is an elevation at right angles to Fig. 1; Fig' 3 isplan view; and Fig. 4 is a sectional vaticn of a portion of Fig. 2.

In the control of electrically pro elled vehicles it is necessary toprovide speed controlling switch by which the electricalconnectionsbetween the battery and motor are changed in various ways; second, areversing switch for changing the direction of propulsion; third, a maincircuit closing switch bywhich the vehicle is started or stopped. It isalso desirable to cttcctually prevent unauthorized operation of themachine. All of these results are obtained in my improved constructionof control mechanism through the manipulation of a single control lever,the detail construction bcingas follows:

ele-

A diagrammatically represents a speed controlling electric switch whichmay be of any suitable construction, B is a combined main circuitclosing and reversing switch. G is a hollow stem arranged within thevehicle in a convenient location, and ,D is a control lever at the upperend of said stem for operating mechanical connections passing throughthe stem and connected to control both the speed controlling and circuitclosing reversing switc The connection between the lever D and theswitch A: is formed by the following train of mechanism: E is a stempassing through the hollow stem G and coupled to the lever D so as to berotated thereby. F is a rock arm connected to the lower end of the stemE which is coupled by the rod G'with-a ell-cranlc lever H, and thelatter useful Improvements in rst a Specification of Letters Patent.Patented Mar, 12, 1912, Application filed July 28,1911. Serial No.640,993.

is connected by a rod I with the operating lever J for rotating theswitch A. Thus by a movement of the lever D to various positions, theswitch A will be rotatively adjusted to a corresponding position, whichthrough the proper arrangement of contacts will change the electriccircuits as desired.

As has been stated the lever D controls not only the switch A but alsothe circuit closing. reversing switch B. The latter as preferablyconstructed comprises a pair of separated contact members K and K- andan intermediate contact member K, each being preferably formed of aseries of thin resilient. conducting plates cut off to form a beveledend.

L, L are cooperating contact members of V-shaped form which are mountedupon but insulated from a rockable lever M. The arrangement is such thatin one position of said lever M the contact L is pressed against thebeveled end of the contact member K, while the contact member L ispressed against the contact member K In another position of the lever Mthe contact L is pressed against the contact member K. and the contact Lagainst the member K. The contact members K and K are connected to be ofthe same polarity and consequently the two positions of the switch abovereferred to will reverse the direction of current transmittedtherethrough.

The lever M is actuated from the lever D by the, movement of the latterin a vertical plane and through the medium of the following mechanism: Nis a pivotal connection between the lever D and the stem Ewhich permitsrocking the former in a vertical plane. N is a cam or projecting lugfrom the lever D which engages a hearing N upon the rotatable head Nsecured to the upper end of the stem E. In the horizontal position ofthe lever D the lug N engages a recess N in the bearing N, but uponraisingthe lever through a limited angle, as for instance 20, thebearing N will form a fulcrum for the lug N, causing the upward movementof the pivot N and the stem E secured thereto. This in turn will raise aseginentally slotted. member O at the lower end of the stem E which isin engagement with a rock arm P on therock shaft P. rock shaft is a rockarm P connected by a linkQ, with a rock arm Q, on a rock shaft At theopposite end of this v trolled with equal facility.

R, and upon which shaft the lever M of the switch B is mounted. Thus theraising of the lever D will cause a rocking of the lever M which willshift the contacts L and L to reverse the circuit. This adjustmentof thelever D to the angular position does not prevent-said lever from beingmoved in a direction to rotate the stem E as the engageinent of the armP with the segmentally 10 movement in opening or changing the circuits,which will avoid injury from arcing. On theother hand the switch B ismoved slowly and the opening of a circuit thereby would beobjectionable. I have therefore provided a locking means which preventsthe possibility of operating the switch B when the circuit is closedby'the switch A,

or the operation of the'switch A when the switch B is open. Thislockingmechanism as shown is formed by providing the lever M with anotched segment S and mounting upon the. bell-crank H, a guard member Thaving-an interlocking engagement with the notched segment. The'member Thas two segmental flanges T and T which may be alternatively engagedwith notches S. and S the one engagement holding the switch B in aposition to drive the vehicle ahead, and the other locking said switchin the reversed position. In either position the switch may be operatedto all of its various posi-' tions of adjustment, but only in theposition of said switch A where the circuit is open will the segments-Tand T be completely disengaged from the notches S and S so as to permitadjustment of the lever M. The movement of the switch A duringadjustment of the lever M is prevented by the flange S which stands inthe .path of the segments T excepting in the open position of the switchA.

To prevent the unauthorized manipulation of the control mechanism, alocking mechanism is provided which is preferably applied to the stem C.This as shown consists of a key actuated lock mechanism II mounted in alaterally extendingbcaring U- upon the upper end of the stem C saidlockmg mechanism being adapted o throw a locking bolt V engaging arecess in the rotatable stem E. The bolt and its actuating mechanism iscompletely housed within the casing I and can only be manlpnlated by theproper key, and furthermore, thelocation of the recess V for the bolt Vis such as to .only register with said bolt when the lever D is in' aposition to open. the electric circuit. The position preferably selectedfor this purpose is that in which the lever D is raised to a verticalposition in'alinement with the stem C. Thus it is not only impossiblefor an unauthorized person to manipulate the control mechanism whenlocked but it is equally impossible for the mechanism to be. locked whenthe motor is in circuit.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a control mechanism for electric motors, the combination with acircuit closing andspeed controlling switch and a reversing switch, ofan actuating device comprising a hollow stem and a rotatable stempositioned therein, connection between said rotatable stem and saidcircuit closing and reversing switch for progressively actuating thelatter, a lever for rotating said stem pivotally attached thereto formovement in the longitudinal plane of the stem so as to be adjustable todiflcrent inclinations, a fulcrum bearing for said lever on said hollowstem whereby the vertical adjustment of the lever will cause alongitudinal adjust-ment of said rotatable stem, and connectionsoperated by the longitudinaladjustment of said stem for operating saidreversing switch.

2. In a control mechanism .forelectric motors, the combination with acircuit closing and speed controlling switch, anda reversing switch, ofmeans for alternatively actuating said switches co'm rising a rotatableand longitudinally ad ustable stem, a lever for actuating said stem ineach of its directions of-adjustment, two intermediate trains ofmechanism between said stem and said switches and respectively operatedby proper relative position.

3. In a control mechanism for'electricmotors, the combination with. acircuit'closmg and speed controlling switch and a reverslng sw1tc'n,.ofan operating dev ce therea for comprising a rotatable stem, connectionsbetween said stem and said circuit'closing and speed controlling switchfor progressively operating the latter by the rotation of the same,a'lever for rotating said stem adjustable into different planes ofmovement, and connections actuated by said-latter adjustment foroperating said reversing switch. v

4. In a control mechanism for electric motors, .the combination with acircuit closing and speed controlling switch and a reversing switch, ofan actuating device comprising a rotatable stem, connections betweensaid stem and said circuit closing and revcrsing switch forprogressively actuating the latter, a lever for rotating said stempivotally attached thereto for movement in the longitudinal plane of thestem so as to be adjustable to different inclinations, a fulcrum bearingfor said lever whereby its vertical adjustment will .cause alongitudinal adjustment of said stem, and connections operated by thevertical adjustment of said stem for operating said reversing switch.

5. In a control mechanism for electric motors, the combination with acircuit closing and speed controlling switch and a reversing switch, ofa common actuating device therefor comprising a rotatable andlongitudinal adjustment stem, a lever connected to said stem adjustableto difi'erent inclinations to avoid the vertical movement of the stem,connections between said stem and said circuit closing and speedcontrolling switch and said reversing switch whereby they arerespectively adjusted by the rotary and vertical adjustment of saidstem, and locking means for preventing the rotary adjustment of the stemduring the vertical adjustment thereof, and the vertical adjust mentduring the rotary movement thereof.

6. In a control mechanism for electric m0- tors, the combination with acircuit closing and speed controlling switch and a reversing switch, ofa common actuating device therefor comprising a rotatable andlongitudinally adjustable stem, a lever for actuating said stem in eachof its adjustments, connections between said stem and the respectiveswitches by which the rotation of the stem wil adjust one switch and thelon-' gitudinal movement of the stem will adjust the other switch, andtransversely movable members connected to their respective transmissionconnections having an interlocking engagement with each other wherebythe movement of one is prevented during the movement of the other.

7. In a control mechanism for electric motors, the combination with aswitch, of an actuating device comprising a rotary and longitudinallyadjustable stem, a stationary bearing for said stem, a key controlledlock ing bolt housed within said stationary beziring, and a keeper forsaid boit'in said adjustable stem.

.8. In a control mechanism for electric mo tors, the combination withacircuit closing and speed controlling switch, and a reversing switch, ofa single actuating device ad justable in transverse planes foralternatively operating said switches, and means for preventing theactuation of either switch by said actuating means when the other properrelative position, of.

switch is not in a adjustment.

9. In a control mechanism for electric mo tors, the combination with aplurali y -of switches, of means for alternately actuating said switchescomprising a rotatable and longitudmally ad ustable member, and -ar blyadjustable in a plurality of positions of longitudinal adjustment.

11. In a control mechanism for electric motors,.the combination with acircuit closing and speed controlling switch and areversing switch, ofan operating device therefor comprising a rotatable stem, connectionsbetween said stem and said circuit closing and speed controlling switchfor progressively operating the latter by the rotation of the same, alever for rotating said stem adjustable into different planes ofmovement, and connections actuated by said latter adjustment foroperating said reversing switch, said lever being rotatable in thedifferent planes to which it is adjusted for operating said reversingswitch.

12. In a control mechanism for electric motors, the combination with aplurality of switches, of a common actuating device therefor comprisinga vertical member operatively connectedthereto, a lever forrotating saidmember to operate one of said switches, said lever being angularlyadjustable into different planes for actuating another of said switches,permitting of the rotary adjustn'lent of said member in a plurality ofpositions of angular adjustment.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Gno. XV. Srooxnu, INA M. HAnuivnL.

